Behind the Bites

Feast Your Eyes


  • Chocolate Stout Pot Roast

    Printable version When I set out to make this roast I wanted to find a dark and thick beer to be part of the braising liquid I was going to cook it in. I was looking for Guinness when I stumbled across a double chocolate stout made by Young’s. I…

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  • Italian Grinder Fail

    Originally I had planned to make a giant toasted sub, cut it into about 15 slices and present it as a Super Bowl Italian Grinder. I layered the meat and cheese, toasted it, threw on the fresh LTO and smothered it in Kraft’s Green Goddess sauce. Once I closed it…

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  • Beef Stew

    Printable version I have made beef stew several times in the past and this recipe is the first time I have used a cornstarch slurry to thicken it rather than a flour based mixture. The biggest difference is the color. Same great flavor, but the cornstarch turns the liquid a…

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  • Corned Beef and Cabbage Soup

    Printable version In my family it was a tradition to eat cabbage on New Year’s Day. I remember it being overcooked and mushy. They would sauté two shredded heads of cabbage in oil in a skillet. I think the problem was that my elders cooked it to long because I…

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  • Stuffed Loin Chops

    Printable version My favorite cut of pork is the loin. It can be roasted, grilled, pan fried, braised or cooked just about anyway and it provides a canvass that works well with different flavors from fresh herbs, to marinades and spice rubs, even fruits. Recently, as I scanned the meat…

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  • Creamy Baked Onions

    Creamy Baked Onions I was at Meijer recently trying to figure out what I wanted to cook and was drawing blanks. I went to the store with an open mind and thought I would let what was on sale guide me, but after 20 minutes I wasn’t having any luck.…

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  • Mini Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes

    I’m not much of a baker, but my mom and a number of my aunts are all-stars. Over the years, I have left the pies and sweets to them as I developed my skills as a savory cook. This past Thanksgiving my Mom made mini pumpkin spice cupcakes that were…

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  • Chicken Stir Fry with Ramen

    Printable version Ramen noodles are a staple on college campuses and kitchens of the less well-to-do because they cost about $1.64 for a three month supply. Although they are cheap, I still think they’re tasty. I am willing to buy cheap noodles, but lunch meat, well, that’s another story. I’ll…

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